I have an Inteli-Power 9160A converter/charger that tripped the 45AMP circuit breaker when it went into boost mode. I contacted the manufacturer and they said I should install a 60 amp circuit breaker. I bought a HI-AMP BUSS 60 amp circuit breaker. One terminal is labeled BATT the other is labeled AUX. I'm not sure if I should connect the Charger to the terminal marked AUX and the terminal marked BATT to the battery bank, since the battery is the one drawing the high current. This circuit breaker is also used for trolling motors and the trolling motor is connected to the AUX terminal since the trolling motor is drawing the current. My situation is the batteries will draw the current. Thanks.

Not sure if they are bidirectional or not. If so it would not matter. Your reasoning makes sense that the motor terminal would be for the load.I am wondering why there is a 45 amp breaker on a 60 amp device. Any idea what size and length of run that wire is it is on?Jim

Thanks for the reply, it seems that way to me. It's a 1999 HitchHiker that used to have a 45 watt converter / charger. That went bad, so we replaced it with a higher amp model, but the RV mechanic didn't change the circuit breaker. One cold night with the heater running drained the battery, so I hooked up the generator and the converter put out in boost mode and tripped the circuit breaker. I guess I will go with my gut until I find out more info.

It doesn't matter which way you connect it. They just label them so people don't ask.

I think your right. I'm just going to hook it up and see how it works.

In the "typical" configuration, that breaker also is a overload protector for the circuits connected to the battery. So the Bat terminal should go to the wire connected to the battery, and the Aux terminal would then go to the converter output. Turn it around, and if the breaker is "off" or tripped, and the Aux goes to the battery, and you accidentally short the Aux terminal to ground, thinking it isn't hot, you'll short out the battery and not have any overcurrent protection. NOT what you want.

Converter/charger trips breaker | Good Sam Community

canonkid
Explorer
May 22, 2013
This is the answer I got from Buss Fuses.
"It doesn't matter which way the breaker is wired current will flow either way. For consistence I tell all our customers BAT goes to Line/Power and AUX to Load."
I thank everyone for all the input.
Dave-Sparky
Explorer
May 22, 2013
Breakers are generally provided and sized to protect the wiring from excessive loads on the circuit, not to protect the source of the power. In your case it would appear that the load is capable of taking over the 45 amps allowed by the breaker, thus it trips.

When your new converter was installed the tech did not change breaker as there was no upgrade to the wiring. If the wire is rated for over the original 45 amps, then by all means change the breaker to a larger size.

Per the NEC Typical usages with short lengths (10 to 20 feet) for copper wire and 60 deg insulation are;

#10 30 amp
# 8 40 amp
# 6 55 amp
# 4 70 amp

So do not put too large of a breaker in for the wire size.

Dave
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 22, 2013
I'll make it easy.. Though in theory it should not matter at all. Connect the batt to Batt and everything else to aux.
time2roll
Nomad
May 22, 2013
#4 I would have suggested 80 amp breaker ;)

Actually with a 1' run... is this just the converter direct on the battery? I would skip the breaker if it is that simple and reasonably protected.
HiTech
Explorer
May 22, 2013
Ok quite beefy!

Jim
canonkid
Explorer
May 22, 2013
Thanks. I checked the wire and it's all #4 with about a one foot run each.
I appreciate the input.
time2roll
Nomad
May 22, 2013
I assume you have reviewed your wire connections for ampacity before you go up in breaker size. IMO minimum wire for the entire loop should be #8 including grounds etc.
canonkid
Explorer
May 22, 2013
Wow, it sounds like you really know what you're talking about and I really appreciate you taking the time to explain it. Thanks so much. I will connect Batt to Battery and Converter to Aux.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
May 22, 2013
In the "typical" configuration, that breaker also is a overload protector for the circuits connected to the battery. So the Bat terminal should go to the wire connected to the battery, and the Aux terminal would then go to the converter output. Turn it around, and if the breaker is "off" or tripped, and the Aux goes to the battery, and you accidentally short the Aux terminal to ground, thinking it isn't hot, you'll short out the battery and not have any overcurrent protection. NOT what you want.
canonkid
Explorer
May 22, 2013
I think your right. I'm just going to hook it up and see how it works.